Mammoth Cave Adventure: Wrap-Up

Looking back on the adventure...it was a long way to drive for the weekend, but the consensus is that it was more than worth it.






Our hosts, the Ferry family, made us feel at home on Thursday night. We caught up on family adventures, school, home, and everything that we could think of. The next morning, we took off--in the rain--for the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.







After checking out what sort of car $42,000 can buy--and by happenstance, what sort of person might buy them--we set off for Rotary Scout Reservation for the first of two nights at camp.







Deep dish pizza on the way...the scouts settled in quickly, and made quick work of our Dutch Oven meals, taking on the multiple roles of chefs, diners, and dishwashers.





Camp Rotary emblem, thanks to Brian Shields of the Camp Rotary Foundation and the B-P Rover Crew.









Nicole, our tour guide--with degrees in political science, geology, and broadcasting. Who would have imagined that that sort of specialization would work so well?






We took the longest standard tour--the Grand Tour. The National Park Service Describes this as "[t]his physically demanding trip will give you an excellent idea of the size and complexity of the Mammoth Cave system. Learn of the natural and cultural history of the cave and how they are interwoven as your journey takes you through some of the most dramatic passages in this “mammoth” cave. Walk through gypsum lined passages, narrow canyons, underground hills, large rooms, and areas with dripstone formations." The tour was four miles long and featured 670 stairsteps.

After we emerged from the tour, we returned to Rotary Scout Reservation for dinner. Brian returned that evening and hosted the Webelos on a late-night Ramble--a cross country, nighttime tour of the camp. He showed us various landmarks--both physical and historical, took time out for an edible wild plant lesson, engaged in a little star study, and a little Leave No Trace discussion. We really appreciate Brian for his commitment to serving others. and his knowledge of the camp, his knowledge of scouting, and his friendship. Our trip could not have been nearly the success it was without his support and friendship.

More pictures are available here.

* * *
I'm looking forward to another trip down south for a repeat of this adventure.

In the short term, I'll see everyone at the pack meeting this week, on the 28th.

Best regards,

Ken

Pack Meeting, October 28

Dear Pack 108 Parents:

Just a reminder that our next pack meeting will take place on October 28th, 6:30 PM at the Davis School Community Room. I won't be around to send my message over the weekend, so please pardon its early arrival.

If you are working on the reading reward program, please bring in your sheet with the number of pages you have read/have had read to you at the pack meeting. Please figure out the total as of the 27th, so that we can keep track of your reading between now and our February pack meeting.

Please look for a note from the Popcorn chairs as well....our annual popcorn sale is drawing to a close.

You den leaders are working on some fun projects with your sons, so we look forward to seeing the good results of what has been taking place since our last Pack meeting.

Pack information is available 24/7 right here: http://pack108.blogspot.com/.

Best regards,

Ken King

Webelos Den Meeting, October 21

Dear Webelos Den Parents:

We will meet at Davis School, at 6:30 on October 21.

We will continue work on our art activity badge. We will complete the badge this week, so for all boys who were in full attendance last week, they will receive the award at the pack meeting on October 28.

Den help is from the Wahab family; treats are courtesy of the Corvino/Gannett family.

We had a a nice time visiting with Troop 46 over the weekend. We have another visit to a troop activity coming up on November 9 as well.

Best always,

Ken

Webelos Den Meeting, October 14

Dear Webelos Den Parents:

Our Webelos Den Meeting will take place starting at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, October 14.

We will meet in the Davis School art room. Mrs. Varga, the art teacher, will be helping the boys with requirements for the artist activity badge.

The Siarny family is scheduled for meeting help. The Wahab family is helping with our treat.

As we will be meeting immediately after school, please encourage your sons to wear their cub scout uniforms to school. If that strikes them as a hardship, please tuck them into their school bags so they can transform themselves into scouts at the end of the school day.

The meeting on Tuesday will be the date to commit to the Mammoth Cave Adventure. Per an earlier posting/email, please order your ticket for the GRAND AVENUE TOUR at 11:30 AM, on Saturday, October 25.

To keep you better informed as to what we will be doing from week to week, I've posted a chart with our month's activities outlined. Participation each week will result in earning the Artist Activity Badge, plus, a bit of fun, too.

Best regards,

Ken

Webelos Den Notes

Dear Webelos Parents

Minutes from the the recent pack leader meeting are posted here.

Please note the responses to the upcoming events--still below from yesterday (I've heard from two families, and will respond to Troop 46's leadership tomorrow).

Thanks to Jane for organizing--and to all of you for contributing to--the meal for Lazarus House. It made for an excellent den meeting.

We will be working on the Artist Activity Badge this month, and close with a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago in November.

Best always,

Ken

Webelos Program Planning: Response Deadlines

Dear Webelos Den Parents:

Just a note to keep some activities in mind:

Répondez s'il vous plaît (RSVP--let me know yes or no):

7 October deadline:
What: Troop 46 BBQ.
When: 18 October, 3:00 - 8:00 PM
Audience: For webelos and family members.
What do do: Bring a dish to pass, meet scouts and leaders from the troop, take part in a campfire, learn about their program
The details: Here

So...please let me know if you are planning to participate. It's a strong troop, and worth checking out what they do.

* * *

14 October deadline:
What: Webelos Mammoth Cave Adventure
When: Late October
Audience: Webelos and a parent
What to do: The time to commit is coming up. Tickets for the Mammoth Cave tour need to be ordered online/by phone in advance of the tour. Please order your tickets by 14 October. We will complete our planning for the event based on who has ordered Cave Tour tickets by our den meeting next week. We will plan on taking the GRAND AVENUE TOUR (4 miles, 4-1/2 hours) at 11:30 AM on Saturday, October 25.

For Mammoth Cave reservations:
By Phone: (877) 444-6777
TDD (hearing impaired): (877) 833-6777
Online: www.recreation.gov

Call Center Hours: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm Central Time

Payment: Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, and American Express are accepted.

* * *
November 2 deadline:
We will visit Troop 13 on November 9. Details are here.

* * *

See you today at the Siarny house, at 4:30 PM.

Best regards,

Ken

Happiness Comes from Happifying"

Dear Pack Parents:

The quote above is one the founder of Scouting, Baden-Powell, was often fond of using. The point he was trying to make is that happiness comes in large part from making other people happy, and that we often accomplish this by rendering service to others.

During our leader/parent meeting last night, we discussed ways that the pack can connect with the school and the community. Some ideas that came up included posting the flag at the school, leading flag ceremonies for school sing events, making meals for the needy, collecting toys for the impoverished, and so on.

So....we're asking you to contribute some ideas to our discussion. Please use the link below for responses to add a few thoughts as to what you believe the pack might do to help support the world beyond our den meetings and pack meetings.

Thanks for helping to bring the service ethic of scouting to life for our sons.

Best always,

Ken

Pack Camp Out Pictures

Staying warm by the fire...

















Discovery in the woods...

















Sunrise on a frosty morning...


















Fire-builders...

Thanks to Jay S. for the pictures...

Pack Leader Meeting

Dear Pack 108 Leaders:

Attached to the email message I sent out, thanks to Michele F.'s record-keeping, is a copy of our current pack roster.

The second worksheet is the list of pack leaders. I noted their anticipated departure date from the pack (timed with their son's movement into Boy Scouting).

I also highlighted in red, orange, and green some leadership priorities for the pack.

Most critical are finding successors to Jane (I understand that Scott has had a successful recruiting drive here) and Ann W.

The next tier is getting some of the leaders registered/filling some positions for the future (February and beyond, to make plans for summer events)

The final tier is keeping eyes and ears open for next year's Tiger Den leadership. As your friends and neighbors ask you about scouts, don't be afraid to make a pitch about the joys of serving as a cub scout leader. Should you find folks who are interested (or at least unafraid), let Scott know so that he can activate his charms and recruiting acumen. :-)

* * *

Thanks and congratulations again to Michelle K. on her superior execution of our pack's first family camp out. Over 50 people took part in the experience, and all had a great time.

* * *

We will have our monthly pack leader meeting tomorrow, October 6, at the King's house (1401 S. 7th Street), 6:30 -7:30 PM. I'm baking cookies today, so come by for a snack and to get the next month squared away.

Best always,

Ken

Webelos Den + Boy Scout Troop Outing, Number II

Dear Webelos Den Parents:

Troop 13 has invited members of our Webelos Den to their annual Leaders-v-Scouts Flag Football and Turkey Dinner event.

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TROOP 13

2008 TURKEY BOWL / SURVIVOR CAMPOUT

ANNUAL LEADERS vs. SCOUTS
FLAG-FOOTBALL GAME
FAMILY TURKEY / THANKSGIVING DINNER
(Webelos & Families invited to Football Game & Dinner)

November 9, 2008

Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve
Located on Rte. 31 (Just South of the Trolley Museum)
(South Elgin, Illinois)

Return: Attention All Parents: Please attend our Football Game and delicious Thanksgiving Dinner – It is sure to be a great family time. After game and dinner – Scouts can be picked up and/or brought home by their families.


Turkey Bowl & Dinner (Sunday) Cost: Free (Please bring donation of canned goods, to be given to the less fortunate local families).
Game Time: 12:00 – Dinner Time: 2:00

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RSVP to Mr. King by November 2, 2008. He will forward your interest to the leadership of Troop 13.

Webelos Den + Boy Scout Troop Outing

Dear Webelos Den Parents:

The message below came my way today. Troop 46 has extended an invitation to Webelos Dens in the St. Charles area to take part in an outing with them.

It is organized as a campout, potluck meal, campfire, and court of honor (a court of honor is like a pack meeting).

As we have camping this weekend and at the end of the month, I would humbly suggest that interested members of the den--and their families--just come out for the afternoon and evening on Saturday the 18th.

They have an RSVP date of October 10. I'll seek a commitment from you as to whether or not you'd like to attend by the October 7 den meeting.

And....in connection with my emails from earlier today....this will "count" as a Webelos Den + Boy Scout Troop outdoor event.

Best regards,

Ken

P. S. I'm sorry to be clogging up your mail boxes today.

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Troop 46 OktoberFest

WHAT: Fall Troop Court of Honor

BBQ & Potluck Dinner

Webelos Open House

Family Campout

WHERE: LeRoy Oaks Forest Preserve, Lower pavilion & firebowl

WHEN: October 17-19, 2008

WHO: All Troop 46 scouts and their families

Any interested Webelos and their families

Alumni from Troop 46

Camp with us for the weekend or just join us for Saturday's festivities.

DETAILS:

For camping meet at Grace Lutheran Church at 6:30pm for usual departure at 7pm. Families can join us for camping the whole weekend. You may use your own family tent or use a troop tent. Scouts will camp as they usually do on weekend campouts.

BBQ and potluck dinner will be Saturday at 3pm. BBQ chicken will be provided for all. Scouts will prepare dutch oven dishes to accompany dinner. Families and guests are asked to bring a generous side dish or dessert to pass.

Court of Honor Ceremony will begin at 5:00pm Saturday in the firebowl. This will feature skits, highlights from the summer activities, rank advancements and merit badges from summer camp, a Wood Badge beading ceremony, and much more.

Webelos Den Meeting, October 7

Dear Webelos Den Parents:

Per a previous note, we will meet after school on October 7.

Meeting help is from the Komarek family; the treat is from the Siarny family.

A considerable part of the meeting will be devoted to making meals for Lazarus House. My thanks to Jane Siarny for organizing this.

Jane's information is below; please let Jane know by Sunday what you can bring to contribute to the lunches.

Best always,

Ken

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SERVICE PROJECT OPPORTUNITY
Lunches for Lazarus House
Tuesday, October 7
4:30-5:30 pm

We'll be putting together lunches at my home, 611 Mosedale as part of the scout meeting. –

Jane Siarny r.s.v.p. on or before Sunday and reply to all--so we all know what needs to be brought --write your name in BOLD after your choice (e.g. CLAYTON ON DESSERTS)--See you Tuesday. p.s. You can drop off supplies as well--if your scout can't make it

SIGN UP AND BRING WITH YOU 1 OF THE FOLLOWING: ·

• 1 gallon of milk,
• 1 gallon of juice,
• large drink mix.
  
• 50 slices of bread & lunchmeat, cheese or pbj for 25 sandwiches
  
• 25 granola bars or desserts,
  
• 12 apples/oranges/or cans of fruit w/ spoons
  
• 13 apples/oranges/or cans of fruit w/ spoons
  
• 12 juice boxes *
• 13 juice boxes